Vulcanite plaque, c 1840.

Description

Made from vulcanised rubber by Thomas Hancock (1786-1865), the inventor of rubber manufacturing proceses. Vulcanite, also known as ebonite or hard rubber, is a semi-synthetic plastic as it is a modification of a natural substance, rubber. To make vulcanite, sulphur is heated with natural rubber, producing a harder material. This ornate plaque was sealed in a glas fronted frame for a Rubber Exhibition held at the Science Museum in 1929.